hejmann



' 1,633,987 J 1927' G. HEIMANN SEMIAUTOMATIC 0R AUTOMATIC GRADED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Aug. 16. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f fliawm MC-QMQA v 5 Hum amu mwm.

v 11,633,987 June 28,1927 G. HEIMANN SEMIAUTOMATLC 0R AUTOMATIC GRADED SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed Aug. 16, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I j w V W U U Q (t\ g Q 1 k R v U) Q A Q Q EFlting @fiMl Patented June 28, i927.

curiae stares GEORG I-IEIMANN, DECEASED, LATE OF CHARLOTTENBUBG, GERMANY; BY ELSE HECHT,

NE'IE HEIIVIANN, ADMINISTBATBIX,

res-ass? rarest caries.

OF CHAELOTTENBURG, GERMANY.

SEMIAUTQMATIC OB, AUTOMATIC GRADED-SERVICE TELEPHONE SYSTELT.

Application filed August 16, 1921, Serial No. 492360 and in Austria December 30, 1913.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PRQVISZGNS OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921, ll. STAT. L., 1313.)

This invention relates to improvements in semi-automatic or automatic graded service telephone systems.

The object of this invention is to provide a telephone system with devices which for convenience of description will be referred to as grading or zone switches, as they produce different effects upon the subscribers meter according to the value of the connection established or they restrict the subscriber so that he can only make connections within a certain zone.

The motor magnet of the zone switch and the motor magnet of the selector switch with which the zone switch is associated may be connected in parallel. They therefore receive the same number of impulses and the switch movements produced by both magnets correspond exactly to each other. Hence it is apparent that the functions of both the zone and selector may be performed by the aid of a single motor magnet. For example the shaft of the selector switch may be provided in addition to the wipers for the talking connections with a device that closes different contacts of a'zone switch according to the distance the selectorswitch is moved from its normal position. If a selector switch of the Strowger type is employed a ridge or collar may be arranged on the selector shaft which engages with a different set of contact springs of the zone switch at each step the shaft is lifted by the vertical motor magnet. If the amount of vertical movement imparted to the selector shaft corresponds to a non-permissible connection the movement of the contact springs of the zone switch produced by the collar of the selector shaft will affect circuits that disconnect the calling subscriber from the exchange selectors.

The contact springs of the zone switch affected by the collar of the selector shaft may also be arranged to act upon the meter circuit of the calling subscriber so as to cause the meter LO register a higher or lower fee according to the value of the connection. A feature of this invention consists in providing zone switches which cause the meter to execute fewer or more steps according to the value of the connection and then to stop.

A zone switch of this kind is produced by building it up of two parts, a zone discriminating or impulse determining part (or determining switch) which determines the number of impulses to be delivered to a meter, and an impulse delivering part (or delivering switch) which delivers the number of impulses to the meter determined by the impulse determining part. The determining and delivering switches may be arranged to give any desired number of metering impulses.

The determining switch may consist of a movable contact brush and a number of rows of fixed contacts corresponding to the number of different grades or zones of different values of the connections.

The delivering switch may also consist of a movable contact brush and of a row of contacts over which the brush is caused to travel each time a conversation is to be registered.

Of the contacts in each row of fixed contacts on the determining switch fewer or more are connected to the fixed contacts of the delivering switch according as the particular row corresponds to talking connections of a lower or higher value.

lVhen a talking connection is established the brush of the determining switch is moved to a certain one of its rows of fixed contacts and connects the contacts in this row to a source of current. A certain numher of the contacts of the delivering switch will thus be connected to the said current source and when, upon the registration of the connection, the brush of the delivering switch is caused to travel over its fixed con tacts a certain number of impulses will be delivered to the calling subscribers meter.

The impulse delivering switch is so arranged that a momentary closure of a circuit at the moment a called subscriber r spends, or at the moment an established connection is broken, will cause the switch to complete a cycle of functions and to return to its normal position so as to be in readiness for the registration of the next connection. his is accomplished by connecting the motor magnet in the normal position of the delivering switch through a movable contact brush to a fixed contact, which leads to a point at which the motor magnet circuit is momentarily closed by the response of the desired subscriber or at the finish of a; con,-

nection. han the motor magnet circuit is thus closed, a spring is tensioned which exerts its force as soon as the momentarily closedv circuit is reopened. The movable brush is, then advanced to a fixed contact leading to an interrupter and .this interrupter then imparts impulses to the motor magnet until the movable brush is moved a complete cycle and regains the fixed contact which represents the normal position of the movable brush and which is not in connection with the interrupter.

Shortly before reaching its normal, position the impulse delivering switch may be arranged to-brush past a mechanical locking device which holds the determining switch in its advanced position. This locking device isthen causedto release the determining switch and to, allow it to return to its normal. position.

' The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 shows the circuits of a non'numerical. switch or trunk finder and Fig. 2 the circuits of a connector of an automatic telephone exchange provided with the improved graded metering device.

Any number of group selectors may be introduced between the non-numerical. switch Fig. 1 and the connector Fig. 2 but as the IGPIGSQllttllOH of the group selector is unnecessary for a clear understanding of this invention no group selectors are shown.

In Fig. 1 S is a subscribers station which is furnished with an impulse transmitter IT and, connected by wires a, Z), and through the contacts 1, 2 of the test relay TR to the line relay LR oi? the trunk finder. OS, is an oil-normal switch which open only when the trunk finder is in its normal position and ()3 is an. off-normal switch the contacts 35, l of which are closed only in the normal position and the contact 3 lof which is open only in the i'iornial position. Z represents a subscriliiers meter and T a relay by which the subscriber S may be disconnected trom the selecting devices at the exchange.

In Fig. 2 GR is a line control relay which, whenever the connector is used, is switched into the circuit; including the calllg subscribers loop. C R, is a changemzer relay, a release relay, S M a side switch or circuit changer magnet, Sm n nd S, are movable contacts controlled by the circuit changer magnet these contacts being shifted from their one stationary contact to the next each time a current impulse is sent through the ircuit changer magnet, L M is the lifting magnet or" the connector which, to simplify the description, is assumed to he of the well-known up-and-around type, M

the rotary magnet, BM, the release magnet of the connector, T H, is a test relay, R R, a ringi current cutofi relay, R C R a ringing control relay and OS,, off-normal switches that are open only in the normal position of the connector. E R is an energizing relay which closes the energizing circuit of the change over and release relays G R, and R R at a suitable moment and only when the connector is taken into use. (62, b 0 are wires which connect the subscriber S to the fixed contacts in the contact banks of the group of connectors through which the subscriber is accessible. 1.0 w are the wipers of the connector.

The dilierential metering device or zone switch has three movable brushes 70,, k 703 and two motor magnets ZM, and ZM. The brushes are n'iounted on a shaft. Brushes 702 and 7a,, are fixed to each other and execute all movements in unison. They are driven by a ratchet and pawl, the latter being attached to an armature that turns on a pivo 39 and is moved forward by a s airing f after each attraction of the armature by the mag net ZM. The brush is, is advanced in the direction of the arrow by a ratchet and pawl device (not shown) which is driven by the motor magnet ZM At each step taken by the brush is, another row of contacts 0 a, 0 Z), c o, is reached, these contacts being thus connected by the brush 70 to the negativt-i pole of the exchange battery.

It will be seen that in the contact rows 0 a, 0 I), c c, diiterent numbers of contacts are connected to the contacts m m m The brush 7a,, with its fined contacts 0 a, c 5, c c, and its magnet M, represent the zone discrin'iinating or impulse determining switch and the brushes 71: 75,, with their parts represent the impulse delivering switch.

It the contact arm Z3, is moved to either oi the first three contact rows ca, 07), co, only one contact m, of the delivering switch will be connected through art and 7c, to the negative pole of the battery. It the contact k, is moved to the fourth, fifth or sixth. contact row two contacts m m wil be connected through contacts in the row and through 7c, to the battery. With on its seventh, eighth or ninth contact row the three contacts m m m will be connected tl'irough ca, 0?), cc, and 70 to the battery. If. when the brush 7c, is on the firs second or third contact row, the brush Zr, is moved round a complete cycle so as to brush over all the contacts m m m3, one, impulse will. be delivered by the brush 7: to the meter F; because only the first contact 3121 will be connected to the battery. lVith the brush 71:, on its fourth, fifth or sixth contact row two impulses would be dehered by 70 and with 70, on the seventh, eighth or ninth row three impulses would flow. Thus by a suitable number of fixed contactsin the contact rows of the determining switch and a suitable arrangement of the connections between these contacts and the contacts of the iii? delivering switch the possible connections ofthe .system may be divided into a number of grades for which different charges are registered on the subscribers meter.

In the example of the invention illustrated it is assumed that the subs Tibet is prevented from making any connections through the tenth row of contacts of the selector. Should the subscriber attempt to make such a connection the brush 70 will be moved to the tenth contact row 0a, c5, 00 which is connected through switch S and wire 6 with the disconnecting relay T13 This r lay will be energized when switch S goes into its second position and the subscriber will then be disconnected from the exchange selectors. The contacts controlled by relay TR may be connected to a tone producing device when the disconnection oi the line takes place thus reminding the subscriber that the attempted call is 11011-1361111lSSlblQ.

The brush 73 of the delivering switch normally rests upon a contact segment 8 which is connected to a contact 50. This contact may be momentarily closed when the called subscriber responds as shown in the drawing but it may also be arranged to close when an established talking connection is broken down. The. momentary closure of 50 results in a current impulse flowing from the negative pole through 8 7c ,'Zl\l to the positive pole of the exchange battery. The magnet ZM attracts its armature and tensions the spring f. lVhen the impulse ceases the spring pulls the armature to its normal position and the pawl, which ongaged with a new tooth of the ratchet wheel when the arn'iature was attracted, then turns the brush 70 forward into contact with the segment 3 The segment 8 being connected to an interrupter 1 current impulses will now tlov: through Z M (from the negative pole through I 8 Z M to the positive pole) and tire brush 73 will be moved round till it regains the segment 8 where it will stop until the contact 50 is closed by the establishing of another talking connection. As the brush it is rigidly fixed to the brush 712 it will be carried round with 70 so as to also execute a complete cycle or revolution.

The manner in which. the system operates will now be explained.

The subscriber S desiring a connection raises his receiver from its switchhook and connects the wires a, Z) in a well-known manner thus forming a loop through a, Z) through which current flows from the positive pole of the exchange battery through LB, 2, Z), S, a; 1 LR to the negative pole. The line relay L R then closes its contacts 3 and the turning magnet R M (which acts upon the wipers, 10 e0 10 in the wellknown manner by a ratchet and pawl device) is alternatively energized and deenergized by current impulses flowing from the positive pole through interrupter 1, RM, 3 to the negative pole. The turning magnet thus causes the wipers w e0 e0 10 0.0 to brush past the fixed contacts connected to the trunks leading to the connectors, each trunk comprising live conductors a 6 c (2 During the movement of the wipers the test relay T the circuit of which was closed at 4 by the energization of the line relay L R, tests the condition of the trunks. As soon as a tree trunk is reached the test relay is excited by a current flowing from the negative pole through 4, TR, 5 0 relay E R, 6 to the positive pole of the exchange battery. The relays T R and E R are gized, T R disconnects the line relay from the calling line by opening its contacts 1, 2 so that the line relay L R is deencrgized and opens the turning magnet circuit at 3, which results in the wipers co w ro 70 10 stopping on the tree trunk. By the energization of the relay T R the calling subscribers line a, Z) is extended through 8 and 9 to the wipers w 10:. Through the contact 10 a part of the winding of the test relay T R is short circuitcd which causes the potential on the test wire 0 to be lowered and the trunk seized by the trunk finder to appear engaged to other trunk finders searching for a tree trunk. At contact ll the test relay T R closes a locking circuit for itself which is independent of the contact 4 which now open. By connecting the negative pole of the battery through corn tacts 34, 11 and the winding of the test relay to the testwire 0 coming from the connectors, the calling line is made to appear engaged to all connectors through which connections to the calling line are attempted to be established as will. be more :tullv explained later. L

The moment the line relay L R was energized the negative pole of the battery was connected through the contact 4 and through T R to the test wire (3 so that the calling line was mane to appear engaged immedi ately the calling line commenced with the call, for as will appear more clearly later, a connection can only be made with a sub scriber S when the positive potential predominates on his test wire 0 lVhen the relay E R was energized in the manner described above it locked up through its contact 19 and contact 20 of 3M to the positive pole of battery, and closed the energizing circuit of the changeover relay C R and of the release relay R P. The change over relay C R is energized immediately by a current flowing from the positive pole through 7, 8, C R to the negative pole. But the winding of the relay R R is short circuited at first by the contact 8. A moment after the energization of E R and T R the line control relay G R receives current on account of the closure of contacts 8, 9

of relay T R, this current flowing from the positive pole through C R, (0,, 10,, 8, a, S, I), 9, r 3),, C P to the negative pole. The relay C Rthen opens the short circuit of the relay R at 8 and closes a short circuit about the changeover relay C R, at 12, this relay being new deenergiaed whilst the re lease relay R it closes the stopping or measuring circuit of the connector at 16 and opens release circuit at 18.

The function of the changeover relay C R, is to shift or change over the stepping or measuring circuit (positive pole, 7, 1%, 1'6. 8,), which controlled by the line control. relay 0' R, from the lifting magnet to the rotary magnetand then to change over the connector from its rotary action to its test; ing action.

The change over is accomplished at the end of each series of stepping or measuring impulses (by which the amount of movement of a switch or connector determined) whenever the front contact 15 of the line control relay is kept closed for an appreciable period of time. It will happen in the practical working of the system that when a calling subscriber is connected by his trunk finder Fig. 1 to the next switch Fig. 2 the line control relay C It in this switch will be energized and its contact 15 closed for an appreciable time before the calling subscriber commences working his impulse transmitter I T and sending in the selecting impulses. In order toprevent a change over by this first long closure of the contact 15 the change over circuit (positive pole- 7, 15, 17, O 8,, S M, negative pole) is kept open at O S, until this contact 0 S, is closed which does not happen until the first selecting action of the svitch or connector has commenced. Therefore, when the change over relay C R, is deenergized by the short circuit of appreciable duration at the contact 12 of the line control relay and the contact 17 is closed by this deenergization, the change-over impulse which would flow through 7 15, O. S, and through the change-over magnet, is prevented by the contact 0 S being open.

Upon the subscriber S now working his impulse transmitter I T he causes in a wellknown manner a number of openings of h s line loop as, 7) corresponding to the number of the wanted line and at each opening the line control relay C R lets its armature drop back so as to close the contact 1 1 and open the contact 12. The contacts 8 and 12 are so adjusted as to be hardly closed during the oscillation of the armature of G B and so that they are closed at all the closure will only take place when the armature is in its extreme rear or front position. The contact 14: is so adjusted as to be closed rather early in the course of the travel of the armature of C R from its forward to its back position. The closures of contact 14; result in energizations of the lifting magnet L M by current impulses. from the positive pole through 7, 1 1, 16 S L M to the negative pole of the battery, whereby the wipers e0 10 w are lifted to the contact row containthe wanted line. Current impulses also flow from the positive pole through 7, 14:, 16 S magnet ZM of the zone switch to the negative battery pole and the brush 70 of the zone switch is rotated as many steps as the wipers Q04, e0 are raised by L M.

On account of the above-described adjustmeut of the contacts 8 and 12 the short circuitings of the relays C R, and lt R during the oscillations of the armature of the line control relay are so briefin duration that these relays do. not find time to release their armatures during the time the selecting impulses are being sent. Therefore the contact 16 will be kept closed and the contact 17 opened during this time. At the finish of the first series of selecting impulses the line control relay C R will keep. its armature attracted steadily for an appreciable time so that the contacts and 12 will be kept closed. The latter contact will short circuit anc deenergize the change-over relay O R and then as soon as this relay allows its armature to fall back so as to close the contact 17 a change-over current impulse will flow from the positive pole through 7, 15, 17, O S which was closed the moment the wipers v.0 Q05, 10 were lifted, and through the circuit changer magnet S M to the negative pole of the battery. The circuit changer magnet then moves the movable contacts 8,, 3,, into their second positions onto the contacts 29 and 30. The shifting of S to 29 changes the measuring circuit over from the lifting magnet LM to the rotary magnet R- M and if the contact row to which the wipers '10,, 10 4.0 have been raised does not represent a nonpermissible connection the calling subscriber by now working his impulse transmitter I T a second time will cause rotary impulses to flow from the positive pole through 7, 1 1, 16, S M to the negative pole whereby the rotary magnet R M is caused to turn the wipers 10 'w 'w round until they reach the set of bank contacts connected to the wanted line. If the contact row to which the wipers 10 w w have been raised represents a nonpermissible connection, the brush k, connected to. the zone switch will have been moved onto a contact connected to the circuit of the disconnecting relay so that the moment the movable contact S reaches its second position a current will flow from the negative pole through 70,, S 6 T R, to the positive pole. The relay 2? B, would then have been energized so as to disconnect the calling line from the exchange equipment. The ay T 32 a be sl -a t g end. a as signal or any other device may be connected to the front contacts of the relay TR by which the calling subscriber is notified of the disconnection.

The operations in establishing a talking connection had been followed up to the point where the wipers 104, 10 ,10 had been stepped round by the rotary selecting impulses to the fixed contacts representing the wanted line.

When the rotary selecting impulses cease the line control relay. G R is again energized steadily and the contact 12 is closed for an appreciable time so that the contacts 17 and are closed simultaneously and the circuit changer magnet S M is energized and moves the movable contacts 3,, S S into their third positions and closes the circuit of the test relay '1 R through S and 31. The circuits belonging to the wanted line are arranged at the trunk finder in the same way as those of the calling line. Therefore if the wanted line is busy through having itself originated a call its test relay T R at its trunk finder will be energized. By the shifting of contact 33 from 32 to 11 the lower end of the winding of the relay T R will be disconnected from the positive pole and connected to the negative battery pole through 34. The desired line will therefore be rendered engaged andthe test relay T R in the connector trying to establish a connection will not be energized because both ends of its winding will be connected to the negative pole of the battery (through S 31, 21, and 34, 11, TR, 0 respectively).

If the wanted line is free its test wire (similar to 0 will be connected through its test relay (similar to T R, Fig. 1) and through parts similar to 33, 32, 0 S resist ance 36 to the positive battery pole and therefore, when the circuit changer contact S Fig. 2, shifts into its third position a current will flow from the negative pole through 8,, 31, 21, TR w 0 T R, 33, 32, 0 S 36 to the positive battery pole. The relays T R and T R will attract their armatures, the latter disconnecting the line relay L R of the wanted subscriber from the wanted line and closing a new path from the positive pole through 35, 11 and the former connecting the ringing current source R M to the wanted line through R C R, 27, 26 and short-circuiting a part of its winding at 28, thereby immediately lowering the potential on the test wire 0 of the wanted line and rendering it engaged i. e., making it impossible for other test relays T R of other connectors to be energized on connecting to the same wanted line.

Ringing current will now flow from the ringing machine R M through R C R, 27, 26, 10,, a a, wanted subscribers bell b, 6 10 23, interrupter 37 to the other pole of the ringing machine R M lVhen the wanted subscriber responds to the call by raising his receiver from its switchhook the ringing current flowing through the ringing control relay is strengthened sufficiently to energize this relay causing itto close its contact- 22 and to energize the ringing cutoff relay RR by a current which flows from the positive pole through 22, RR to the negative pole of the battery. The relay RR closes its contacts 24, and cuts off the ringing machine R M by opening its contacts 23, 26. The relay RR closes a locking circuit for itself through its armature 38, this locking circuit extending from the negative pole through RR 38, 08 to the positive pole and being independent of the contact 22.

The relay RR also causes a momentary closure of the contact whereby a current impulse flows from the positive pole of the exchange battery through motor magnet Z M, switch arm contact bar 8 contact 50 to the negative pole. Motor magnet Z M attracts its armature and when the current impulse ceases the spring 7' causes the ratchet to be moved a step forward thereby bringing brush [0 on to the segment 8 Current will now flow from the positive pole of the ex change battery through Z M, 7: .9 and interrupter I and the motor magnet Z M will be operated so as to turn the brush it, and the attached brush 70 through a circle. According to the position of the determining switch I0 one or more of the contacts m m m willbe connected to the negative pole of the battery. In moving through its cycle the delivering switch 70 will therefore deliver through wire cZ to the meter Z (Fig. 1) one or more current impulses according to the number of contacts or which are active (i. e. connected to negative battery pole.) The number of active contacts corresponds to the number of steps which the brush is, of the zone switch has been moved which again corresponds to the number of vertical steps which have been taken by the selector. The subscribers meter will therefore register a charge corresponding to the value of the connection and independent of the duration of the talking connection.

Returning to the operations involved in establishing a talking connection, the energization of the relay RR connects the calling subscriber to the called subscriber through a, 8, w a 00,, 25, 1a,, a,, and a of the called subscriber, 6, 6 of this subscriber and through 7,0 24, 00,, 6 10 9, .7).

WVhen the calling subscriber replaces his receiver and thus interrupts the connection between his line limbs a and b for an appreciable period the release relay R R is steadily short circuited by the contact 8 and allows its armature to drop back. The release circuit at the exchange is then closed at 18 andthe release magnet R M, is energized by a current which flows irein the positive pole through O S release magnet R M 18 to the negative pole. p

The releasemagnet R2 of the Zone switch is also energized by a current which news from the positive pole through {5 ,11 2, 18 to the negative pole and the brush 7: is thereby returned to its normal position. The release magnets remain energized until tlre wipers 1'0 105, 10 return to their normal position when the cit-normal switch 0 S is opened. Whilst the wipers are returning to their normal position the release magnet R M keeps a contact 21 open and thereby prevents the test or busy potential being momentarily applied to the lines the bank contacts of which are touched by the wipers in returning to their normal position.

By opening a coiitact the release ma net interrupts the circuit of the relays T 1 and E R. ER thereupon opens the circuit of C R at contact 7 and T ltclo'sesthe circuit of the turning magnet R M at 38 which extends from thepositive pole through I, R M, 39, 0 S 38 to the negative pole of the battery. The turning magnet R M then steps the wipers 20 10 10 w, and Q08 round until they reach their normal position in which the contact 0 S is opened and breaks the turning magnet circuit.

It a wanted line is found busy the relay E R will notbe energized and the contact will not be "closed. Consequentl the magnet Z M will not receive a metering iinpulse and the brushes 7:1 [0 will not be rotated. Since the brush lc will have been advanced to a c'ertainrow of contacts 0 a, *0 L, 0 0, the brush it, has to be restored to its normal position. This is done by means of the separate restoring magnet R2 of the zone switch. Alternatively the brush is, may beadvanced over its contact rows against the action "of a s1 ring and held in its advanced position by means of a locking device such as a pawl engaging notches in a wheel attached to the brush Is When the selector shaft approaches its normal position a mechanical device on the selector shaft releases the holding'pawl so that the brush is, is returned to its normal position by the spring. In the case where a talking connection is actually established the release of the holding pawl may be accomplished by means of a cam on the brush 76 when the delivering member has almost reached its normal position.

Since the movements executed by the zone discriminating or impulse determining switch (ZM k correspondto the movements of the shaft of the selector switch with which the zone switch is ass ciat-ed, it is obvious that the detern' ining switch may be controlled by the selector shaft and that the stepping magnet Z M and the release magnet Hz. Fig. 2 may be dispensed with. A number of sets of contacts springs of which tain set of contacts would be affected by a projection or collar on the selector shaft. It the zone is of the hind shown in Fig. 2 and a connection is established with a subscriber in the third Zone which is reached through the seventh, eighth and ninth rows of bank contacts for example, the collar or projection on the selector shaft could be arranged to close three contacts springs corresponding to the three liked contacts 0 a, c b, 0 c and to connect these springs to the negative pole of the exchange battery. The contacts m m m oi the delivering switch would thus connected to the negative pole or the exchange similarly "as they are connected thcrete by the brush of Fig. 2.

Of course, the selector shaft could also be made to prepare the circuit of the disconnecting relay 'ilt which causes the calling subscriber to be disconnected from the exchange equipment whenever a non-permissible connection is attempted. ii" the actuating circuit of the deliveriiig switch is arranged to be closed at a contact 50 at the end of the talking connection, the circuits of the restoring magi'iets RM of the selector switches would be arranged to be closed shortly before the impulse delivering members complete their revolution. In this way any premature disconnection of the impulse delivering switch 70 from the meter Z can be effectually prevented.

I claim:

1. In a telephone exchange system a plurality oi lines divided into-different traffic Zones, means for establishing connections between calling and called lines, toll devices normaily inert operating mechanism for said devices and rendered operable "upon the establishment of any connections, and means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a c'alliit g line and'a called line belonging to a certain zone.

2. In a telephone exchange system, a pinrality of lines divided into different traiiic Zones, selective operable switch, means for operating said switch for establishing conncctions between calling and called lines, a toll device operable a predetermined number of times upon the establishment of any connection, and means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a calling line and a called line belonging to a certain zone.

3. in a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into different t rafiic zones, selectively operable switches, means for operating said switches for establishing connections between calling and called lines, toll devices, normally inert iinptilsing mechanism for said devices and rendered operable upon the establishment of any connection, and means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a calling line and a called line belonging to a certain zone and the operation of said toll device.

4. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into dili erent traflic zones, switching means for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a toll device operable upon the establishment or any connection to record only the value of the connection, and means controlled by said switching means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a calling line and a called line belonging to a certain zone.

In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into different traiiic zones, aselectively operable switch, means for operating said switch for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a toll device operable upon the establishment of any connection to charge only for the character of said connection, and means controlled by said. first mentioned means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a calling. line and a called line belonging to a certain zone.

6. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into different trai'fic zones, connector switches, means for operating said switches for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a toli. device, means controlled by said first mentioned means for preventing the establishment of a connection between a calling line and a called line belonging to a certain zone, and means for actuating said toll device only upon the successful establishment of a connection and solely in accordance with the character of said connection.

7. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines, divided into different tratfic zones, a selectively operable switch, means for connecting a calling line therewith, operating means for said switch to establish connections between calling and called lines, a toll device operable upon the establishment of a connection for recording a charge corresponding only to the character of the connection, and means controlled by said operating means for severing the connection between a calling line and the switch operable inresponse to an attempted connection with a called line belonging to a certain zone.

8. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into different traiiic zones, switching means for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a toll device operable upon the establishment of a connection between a calling and a called line through said switching means, means for generating toll charging impulses upon the establishment of said connection, and means controlled by said switching means for severing the connection between a calling line and the switching means upon an attempted connection with a called line belonging to a certain zone.

In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of groups of lines divided into ditterent traitic zones, a selectively operable switch, means for connecting a calling line with said switch, means for actuating said switch to select a called line by group and individual line selecting operations, a toll dcviceoperable upon the establishment of a connection between a calling and a called line through said selector for recording a charge corresponding only to the character of said connection, and means variably operable in accordance with the group selecting operation for severing the connection between a calling line and the switch.

10. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into different tratlic zones, means including a selectively operable switch for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a variably operable toll device, means for operating said toll device a predetermined number or" times upon the establishment of a connection with a line belonging to a certain zone, and means for operating said toll device a different number of times upon the establishment of a connection with a line belonging to another zone.

11. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines divided into diii'erent traflic zones, switching means for establishing connections between a calling and called lines, a variably operable toll device, normally inert means for operating said toll device in a certain manner upon the establishment of a connection with a line belonging to a certain zone, and for operating said toll device in a different manner upon the establishment of a connection with a line belonging to another zone, and means for preventing the operation of said toll device it connection is attempted with a called line belonging to a certain other zone.

12. In a telephone exchange system, a plu rality of lines divided into di'tierent traffic zones, means including a selectively operable switch for establishing connections between calling and called lines, a variably operable toll device associated with a calling line, normally inert means for operating said toll device in a certain manner upon the establishment of a connection with a called line belonging to a certain zone, and for operating said toll device in a diii erent manner upon the establishment of a connection with a called line belonging to another zone, and means for preventing the operation of said toll device it connection is at tempted with a called line belonging to a certain other zone.

13. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines belonging to 'diiferent zones,

a selectively operable switch, an impulse device, means for operating said switch in accordance with different numbers of impulses depending on the zone to which the called line belongs, a toll device variably operable only in accordance with the zones to which lines belong, and mechanism associated with said switch and variably operable in accordance with said impulses for controlling said toll device.

14. In a telephone exchange system, a plurality of lines belonging to different Zones, a connector switch, an impulse device associatd with a calling line, means for connecting a calling line with said switch, means for operating said switch in accordance with different numbers of impulses depending on the zone to which the called line belongs, a toll device variably operable only in accordance with the zone to which the called lino belongs, and a switch associated with said connector and variably operable in accord ance with said inipulses for controlling said toll device and the connection between a calling line and said connector.

15. In telephone exchange system, a pl urality of lines divided into dill erent Zones, a selectively operable switch arranged to connect a calling line with called lines belonging to different zones, an impulse transmitter associated with a calling line, a relay associated with said "switch and responsive to said impulse transmitter, a motor magnet for said switch controlled by said relay, a toll device associated with the calling line, an impulse registering mechanism associated with said switch, means depending on the position of said mechanism for variably operating said toll device, a motor magnet for said mechanism, and a circuit for said last mentioned motor magnet controlled by said relay.

16. In a telephone exchange system, a plu-' rality of lines divided into diii'erent zones, a connector switch arranged to connect a calling line with called lines belonging to ditierent zones, an impulse transmitter associated with a calling line, means for connecting said calling line with said switch, a relay associated with said connector and responsive to said impulse transi'nitter, a multi-position switch, a motor magnet for said connector, a motor magnet for said multi-position switch, a circuit including said motor magnets controlled by said relay, a toll device associated with the calling line, means depending on the position of said multi-position switch for variably operating said toll device only in accordance with the zone of the called line, another relay controlling the connection between the calling line and said connectorswitch, and a circuit for said other relay controlled by said multi-posit'ion switch.

17, In a telephone system, calling station's, called stations, telephone lines, means comprising automatic switches for completing a connection over any of said lines, a call charging device for each calling station, mechanism for registering se' ective impulses, and means controlled by said mechanism tor automatically operating said charging de vice, a predetermined number of times for each completed connection and in accordance with the character of said connection.

18. In a telephone system, a calling station, called station, telephone lines, means comprising a plurality of automatic switches and said. lines l or completing a connection between said calling station and said called tion, a call chm-gingdevice for the calling station, a selective impulse registering derice, and means automatically controlled by the subscriber at the called station for operatin-gsaid call charging device under control o'l' said selective impulse registering device, a prele'terinined number of times for each coinpleted connection and in accordance with the character of said connection.

19. In a telephone system, a calling station, a called station, telephone lines, means comprising serially arranged automatic switches and said lines for completing a connection between said calling station and said called station, a call charging device for the calling station, a selective impulse register, and means controlled by response of the subscriber at the called station for operating said cell charging device under control of said selective impulse registering device a predetermined number of times for each completed connection and in accordance with the character of said connection.

20. In a telephone system, a calling station, a called station, telephone lines, a plu rality 0t automaticswitches for completing a connectiontrom said calling station to said called station and including certain of said telephone lines, a call charging device for each calling station, selective numerical impulse storing n'ieans, and means controlled by response of the subscriber at the called station for operating said rc 'istering device under control of said storing means, a predetermined number of times for each completed connection according to its value.

21. In a telephone system, a calling station, a called station, means comprising telephone lines and serially arranged automatic switches for completing a connection from the calling station to the called station, a call charging device for the calling station, a device for storing selective impulses transmitted to one of said switches, and means controlled both bythe subscriber at the calling station and by the subscriber at the called st-ation for operating said call chargdevice a predetermined number of times ill] under control of said storing device, according to the telephone lines in use in the completed connection.

22. In a telephone system, a calling station, a calledstation, telephone lines and automatic switches for interconnecting said stations, a call registering device for the calling station, call register controlling mechanism accessible in common to both said stations and comprising a numerical register, and means controlled by the subscriber at an interconnected called station for rendering said mechanism effective to cause said device to be operated a predetermined number of timesin accordance with the telephone lines used in the connection between the calling and called stations.

23. In a telephone system, calling stations, called stations, telephone lines and automatic switches for interconnecting any calling and called stations, a call charging device for each calling station, controlling mechanism for said device comprising a numerical selective impulse storing device, means controlled by the subscriber at an interconnected calling station "for variably adjusting said mechanism to cause said device to be operated a predetermined number of times. in accordance with the value of the connection between the calling and called stations.

24. In a telephone system, calling and called stations, telephone lines and serially arranged automatic switches for interconnecting any two of said stations, a call registering device for each station, numerical impulse storing mechanism for controlling said device and adapted to be variably set under control of the subscriber at a calling station, said setting also corresponding to the value of the connection between said calling station and the said called station, and means controlled by the subscriber at the called station for rendering said mechanism effective to operate said device a predetermined number of times.

25. In a telephone system, calling and called stations, telephone lines and serially arranged automatic switches for interconnecting any two of said stations, at least one oi said switches being a numerical switch, a call registering device, mechanism comprising a selective impulse register for controlling said device and adapted to be variably set under control of the subscriber at the calling station, said setting also correspond ing to the value of the connection between said calling station and said called station, and means controlled by the subscriber at the interconnected called station for rendering said mechanism effective to operate said device a predetermined number of times corresponding to the setting of said mechanism.

26. In a telephone system, calling stations, called stations, means comprising telephone lines and automatic switches for completing a connection from any one of said calling stations to any one of said called stations the value of said connection varying in accordance with the telephone lines in the completed connection, a call charging device for each calling station, impulse registering and controlling mechanism for, and accessible in common to said devices, means under control of the subscriber at a calling station for variably setting said mechanism, said setting corresponding to the value of the connection between the calling and called stations, and means controlled by the sub scriber at the called station for rendering said-mechanism effective upon said device to cause the same to be operated a predetermined number of times corresponding to the setting of said mechanism.

27. In a telephone system, calling stations, called stations, means comprising telephone lines and automatic switches for completing a connection from any one of said calling stations to a desired one of said called stations the value of said connection varying according to the telephone lines in the completed connection, a call charging device for each calling station, step-by-step numerical register mechanism accessible in common to each of said devices, means under control of the subscriber at a calling station for variably setting said mechanism, said setting corresponding to the value of the connection between the calling and called stations, and means controlled by the response of the subscriber at the called station for rendering said mechanism efiective upon said device to operate the same a predetermined number of times corresponding to the setting of said mechanism.

28. In a telephone system, a calling line, a meter for said line, an automatic switch accessible to said line, a meter controlling mechanism associated with said switch, a plurality of called lines accessible to said switch, means for extending a connection from the calling line to said automatic switch, means for then operating said switch to seize any one of said called lines, and means for operating said mechanism a predetermined number of times before certain of said called lines are connected with and means for operating said mechanism a different number of times before others of said lines are connected with, and a circuit for said meter controlled by said mechanism.

29. In a telephone system, a calling station, called stations, means comprising telephone lines and automatic switches for completing a connection from said calling station to a desired one of said called stations, the value of said connection varying according to the particular called station desired and the telephone lines used in the connection, a call charging device associated with each com pleted connection, a called station designation registering mechanism for controlling said device, an operating magnet for said registering mechanism, means for operating said magnet a number oi times when said completed connection is oi one value and a different number of times when the coinoleted connection is of adillerent value.

30. In a telephone system, calling stations, called stations, means comprisin telephone 10 lin nd serially arranged automatic switches tor completlng connections of dili'erent values from said calling stations to a desired one of'said called stations, a call charging meter for each calling station, a called sta t-ion designation registering mechanism for controlling the operation oil said meter, said mechanism being variably operated accord ing to a portion of the numeric I desi tion of a desired called station, a a .s for causing said mechanism to operate sa fl meter a certain number of times correiponding to the value of the connection between the calling and called stations.

81. In a telephone system, a

calling s of said device and adapted to be operated a variable number of times during the completion of the connection, and means responsive to the completion of the connection for causing said mechanism to operate said device a number of times which is proportionate to the number of times said mechanism was operated during the completion of the connection. I

32. In a telephone system, a calling station, called stations, a meter for the calling station, means comprising serially rranged automatic switches tor extendinga connection from said calling station toward a de sired one of said called stations, telephone lines accessible to one of said switches, means for operating said one of said switches to further entend the connection over one of said lines, a meter controlling device asso ciated with said one of said switches, said device adapted to be adjusted during the extending ot the connection in accordance with the value of the extended connection, and means controlled by the response or" the subscriber at the called station for causing said meter to be operated according to the adjustment of said device.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

Fran ELSE l-IECHT, Gnb. HEiMANN, Admmistmtriw of Georg Heimmm, Deceased. 

